It feels very strange to be writing my last copy for the Bodicote Church Magazine. In many ways it feels like only yesterday when I was writing my first and introducing myself. I am doing that now in my new benefice and it has made me realize just how much you have helped me to grow both as a person and a priest. I want to thank you all for your patience, kindness and love that you have shown me over the last 11 years. You are a very special parish and I shall miss you. Life is a journey and our faith is a pilgrimage. It cannot remain static and unchanged or it will die. You have a lot to offer as a Church but you will need new gifts and talents to meet the changing needs of the communities you serve and the discernment process towards appointing a new vicar will help you to identify these. Please hold this process in prayer and support your PCC both in words and actions. You have much to offer. I am praying for you too as I hope you are praying for me as we both start a new chapter in our lives. Thank you so much for the generous leaving gifts and the super party afterwards. It was wonderful. The four figure cheque has been safely banked and I am hoping to identify something special to spend it on. I am still surrounded by packing boxes although they are diminishing every day and I intend to get them all emptied before my induction and the pictures on the wall. The next few months will be a steep learning curve but I am looking forward to it. With grateful thanks and heartfelt prayers Sarah
Our attention in the last few weeks had been ensuring that Sarah, our Vicar, had the best possible send-off as she prepared to leave the parish. As we told you in the last magazine, from 1 June to 31 August Sarah had enjoyed a well-deserved Sabbatical, returning for one last time on the 1 September to take our normal 8.00 am and 9.45 am services. At the end of the main (9.45) service she was presented with a painting by Elizabeth Smith, who, until February 2023, lived in the village and was a Licensed Lay Minister leading many services in our church. Liz is a past-President of the Society of Marine Artists and the painting chosen depicted the way to the pilgrimage site of Holy Island, which Sarah had walked during her Sabbatical. Sarah was also presented with a cheque to help with removal expenses and she cut a magnificent cake which was shared amongst everyone who attended the celebratory brunch after the service. Sarah moved to the vicarage in Shipton-under-Wychwood on the 3 September and flowers were sent once she had moved to brighten up her day. She started work in her new benefice on the 23 September.We are, as always, extremely grateful for everyone who supports us, the PCC and the church congregation. Our visiting clergy are, without exception, extremely helpful and kind and it is interesting to experience their different worship styles and sermons. We also value the support we receive from the Diocese. Weddings, funerals and baptisms will continue during the vacancy.We are delighted that all three primary schools in the parish wish to attend our church for Christmas services.The congregation are working hard to ensure that all the community initiatives (afternoon teas, bingo, fetes, bazaars etc) will carry on. It goes without saying that if you wished to attend any of our services and community events, you will receive a very warm welcome.Our thoughts must now turn to preparations for appointing a new vicar. The PCC have appointed a Vacancy Committee, whose principal task will be to prepare a Parish Profile which will be sent to all interested clergy to help them discern if Bodicote is the sort of parish that they would wish to work in and lead. Various statutory meetings have to be held before the post is advertised so we must warn you that this is a slow process! The Diocese, who own the vicarage, are in the process of arranging a short-term let to carefully vetted tenants.We are both settling into a rhythm of work and have booked ourselves onto a Churchwarden Training session at the beginning of October, which we hope will give us hints and tips to fulfil our role as efficiently as possible to ensure the parish functions as well as can be expected. Lynne Philpot and Rob Kirk
